Everett Collection
The 2014 Sundance Film Festival lineup for the U.S. and World Cinema Dramatic and Documentary competition and the out-of-competition NEXT section is officially here, and damn are we excited.
As the festival has evolved and grown, so has the long list of actors and directors who have eagerly jumped on board to be a part of the indie film scene, which means that the lineup of actors for the upcoming event is looking pretty solid. In 2014 we can look forward to seeing the works of those like Glenn Close, Susan Sarandon, John Slattery, Aaron Paul, Kristen Stewart, and Mark Ruffalo, and comedians such as Kristen Wiig, Bill Hader, Lena Dunham, Jenny Slate, Aubrey Plaza, Amy Sedaris, and more.
The festival will run from Jan. 16 to 26 in Park City, Utah and will include 118 features. Still to come are the lineups for Slates for Spotlight, Park City at Midnight, New Frontier, Premieres and Documentary Premieres, and the new Sundance Kids category.
Check out the lineup so far (via Vulture):
DRAMATIC COMPETITION
Camp X-Ray / U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Peter Sattler) — A young woman is stationed as a guard in Guantanamo Bay, where she forms an unlikely friendship with one of the detainees. Cast: Kristen Stewart, Payman Maadi, Lane Garrison, J.J. Soria, John Carroll Lynch.Cold in July / U.S.A. (Director: Jim Mickle, Screenwriters: Jim Mickle, Nick Damici) — After killing a home intruder, a small town Texas man's life unravels into a dark underworld of corruption and violence. Cast: Michael C. Hall, Don Johnson, Sam Shepard, Vinessa Shaw, Nick Damici, Wyatt Russell.Dear White People / U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Justin Simien) — Four black students attend an Ivy League college where a riot breaks out over an “African American” themed party thrown by white students. With tongue planted firmly in cheek, the film explores racial identity in postracial America while weaving a story about forging one's unique path in the world. Cast: Tyler Williams, Tessa Thompson, Teyonah Parris, Brandon Bell.Fishing Without Nets / U.S.A., Somalia, Kenya (Director: Cutter Hodierne, Screenwriters: Cutter Hodierne, John Hibey, David Burkman) — A story of pirates in Somalia told from the perspective of a struggling, young Somali fisherman. Cast: Abdikani Muktar, Abdi Siad, Abduwhali Faarah, Abdikhadir Hassan, Reda Kateb, Idil Ibrahim.God's Pocket / U.S.A. (Director: John Slattery, Screenwriters: John Slattery, Alex Metcalf) — When Mickey's stepson Leon is killed in a construction "accident," Mickey tries to bury the bad news with the body. But when the boy's mother demands the truth, Mickey finds himself stuck between a body he can’t bury, a wife he can’t please, and a debt he can’t pay. Cast: Philip Seymour Hoffman, Richard Jenkins, Christina Hendricks, John Turturro.Happy Christmas / U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Joe Swanberg) — After a breakup with her boyfriend, a young woman moves in with her older brother, his wife, and their 2-year-old son. Cast: Anna Kendrick, Melanie Lynskey, Mark Webber, Lena Dunham, Joe Swanberg.Hellion / U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Kat Candler) — When motocross and heavy metal obsessed, 13-year-old Jacob's delinquent behavior forces CPS to place his little brother Wes with his aunt, Jacob and his emotionally absent father must finally take responsibility for their actions and each other in order to bring Wes home. Cast: Aaron Paul, Juliette Lewis, Josh Wiggins, Deke Garner, Jonny Mars, Walt Roberts.Infinitely Polar Bear / U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Maya Forbes) — A manic-depressive mess of a father tries to win back his wife by attempting to take full responsibility of their two young, spirited daughters, who don't make the overwhelming task any easier. Cast: Mark Ruffalo, Zoe Saldana, Imogene Wolodarsky, Ashley Aufderheide.Jamie Marks is Dead / U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Carter Smith) — No one seemed to care about Jamie Marks until after his death. Hoping to find the love and friendship he never had in life, Jamie’s ghost visits former classmate Adam McCormick, drawing him into the bleak world between the living and the dead. Cast: Cameron Monaghan, Noah Silver, Morgan Saylor, Judy Greer, Madisen Beaty, Liv Tyler.Kumiko, the Treasure Hunter / U.S.A. (Director: David Zellner, Screenwriters: David Zellner, Nathan Zellner) — A lonely Japanese woman becomes convinced that a satchel of money buried in a fictional film is, in fact, real. Abandoning her structured life in Tokyo for the frozen Minnesota wilderness, she embarks on an impulsive quest to search for her lost mythical fortune. Cast: Rinko Kikuchi.Life After Beth / U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Jeff Baena) — Zach is devastated by the unexpected death of his girlfriend, Beth. When she mysteriously returns, he gets a second chance at love. Soon his whole world turns upside down... Cast: Aubrey Plaza, Dane DeHaan, John C. Reilly, Molly Shannon, Cheryl Hines, Paul Reiser.Low Down / U.S.A. (Director: Jeff Preiss, Screenwriters: Amy Albany, Topper Lilien) — Based on Amy Jo Albany's memoir, Low Down explores her heart-wrenching journey to adulthood while being raised by her father, bebop pianist Joe Albany, as he teeters between incarceration and addiction in the urban decay and waning bohemia of Hollywood in the 1970s. Cast: John Hawkes, Elle Fanning, Glenn Close, Lena Headey, Peter Dinklage, Flea.The Skeleton Twins / U.S.A. (Director: Craig Johnson, Screenwriters: Craig Johnson, Mark Heyman) — Estranged twins Maggie and Milo coincidentally cheat death on the same day, prompting them to reunite and confront the reasons their lives went so wrong. As the twins' reunion reinvigorates them, they realize the key to fixing their lives may just lie in repairing their relationship. Cast: Bill Hader, Kristen Wiig, Luke Wilson, Ty Burrell, Boyd Holbrook, Joanna Gleason.The Sleepwalker / U.S.A., Norway (Director: Mona Fastvold, Screenwriters: Mona Fastvold, Brady Corbet) — A young couple, Kaia and Andrew, are renovating Kaia´s secluded family estate. Their lives are violently interrupted when unexpected guests arrive. The Sleepwalker chronicles the unraveling of the lives of four disparate characters as it transcends genre conventions and narrative contrivance to reveal something much more disturbing. Cast: Gitte Witt, Christopher Abbott, Brady Corbet, Stephanie Ellis.Song One / U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Kate Barker-Froyland) — Estranged from her family, Franny returns home when an accident leaves her brother comatose. Retracing his life as an aspiring musician, she tracks down his favorite musician, James Forester. Against the backdrop of Brooklyn’s music scene, Franny and James develop an unexpected relationship and face the realities of their lives. Cast: Anne Hathaway, Johnny Flynn, Mary Steenburgen, Ben Rosenfield.Whiplash / U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Damien Chazelle) — Under the direction of a ruthless instructor, a talented young drummer begins to pursue perfection at any cost, even his humanity. Cast: Miles Teller, JK Simmons.
NEXT
Appropriate Behavior / U.S.A., United Kingdom (Director and screenwriter: Desiree Akhavan) — Shirin is struggling to become an ideal Persian daughter, a politically correct bisexual, and a hip, young Brooklynite, but fails miserably in her attempt at all identities. Being without a cliché to hold on to can be a lonely experience. Cast: Desiree Akhavan, Rebecca Henderson, Halley Feiffer, Scott Adsit, Anh Duong, Arian Moayed. World Premiere.Drunktown's Finest / U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Sydney Freeland) — Three young Native Americans—a rebellious father-to-be, a devout Christian woman, and a promiscuous transsexual—come of age on an Indian reservation. Cast: Jeremiah Bitsui, Carmen Moore, Morningstar Angeline, Kiowa Gordon, Shauna Baker, Elizabeth Francis. World Premiere.The Foxy Merkins / U.S.A. (Director: Madeleine Olnek, Screenwriters: Lisa Haas, Jackie Monahan, Madeleine Olnek) — Two lesbian hookers work the streets of New York. One is a down-on-her-luck newbie; the other is a beautiful—and straight—grifter who's an expert on picking up women. Together they face bargain-hunting housewives, double-dealing conservative women, and each other in this prostitute buddy comedy. Cast: Lisa Haas, Jackie Monahan, Alex Karpovsky, Susan Ziegler, Sally Sockwell, Deb Margolin.A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night / U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Ana Lily Amirpour) — In the Iranian ghost town Bad City, a place that reeks of death and loneliness, depraved denizens are unaware they are being stalked by a lonesome vampire. Cast: Sheila Vand, Arash Marandi, Dominic Rains, Marshall Manesh, Mozhan Marnó, Milad Eghbali. World Premiere.Imperial Dreams / U.S.A. (Director: Malik Vitthal, Screenwriters: Malik Vitthal, Ismet Prcic) — A 21-year-old, reformed gangster's devotion to his family and his future are put to the test when he is released from prison and returns to his old stomping grounds in Watts, Los Angeles. Cast: John Boyega, Rotimi Akinosho, Glenn Plummer, Keke Palmer, De'aundre Bonds. World Premiere.Land Ho! / U.S.A., Iceland (Directors and screenwriters: Martha Stephens, Aaron Katz) — A pair of ex-brothers-in-law set off to Iceland in an attempt to reclaim their youth through Reykjavik nightclubs, trendy spas, and rugged campsites. This bawdy adventure is a throwback to 1980s road comedies, as well as a candid exploration of aging, loneliness, and friendship. Cast: Paul Eenhoorn, Earl Nelson, Alice Olivia Clarke, Karrie Krouse, Elizabeth McKee, Emmsjé Gauti. World Premiere.Listen Up Philip / U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Alex Ross Perry) — A story about changing seasons and changing attitudes, a newly accomplished writer faces mistakes and miseries affecting those around him, including his girlfriend, her sister, his idol, his idol's daughter, and all the ex-girlfriends and enemies that lie in wait on the open streets of New York. Cast: Jason Schwartzman, Elisabeth Moss, Jonathan Pryce, Krysten Ritter, Josephine de La Baume. World Premiere.Memphis / U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Tim Sutton) — A strange singer drifts through the mythic city of Memphis, surrounded by beautiful women, legendary musicians, a stone-cold hustler, a righteous preacher, and a wolf pack of kids. Under a canopy of ancient oak trees and burning spirituality, his doomed journey breaks from conformity and reaches out for glory. Cast: Willis Earl Beal, Lopaka Thomas, Constance Brantley, Devonte Hull, John Gary Williams, Larry Dodson. World Premiere.Obvious Child / U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Gillian Robespierre) — An honest comedy about what happens when Brooklyn comedian Donna Stern gets dumped, fired, and pregnant, just in time for the worst/best Valentine's Day of her life. Cast: Jenny Slate, Jake Lacy, Gaby Hoffmann, David Cross, Gabe Liedman, Richard Kind. World Premiere.Ping Pong Summer / U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Michael Tully) — 1985. Ocean City, Maryland. Summer vacation. Rap music. Parachute pants. Ping pong. First crushes. Best friends. Mean bullies. Weird mentors. That awkward, momentous time in your life when you're treated like an alien by everyone around you, even though you know deep down you're as funky fresh as it gets. Cast: Susan Sarandon, John Hannah, Lea Thompson, Amy Sedaris, Robert Longstreet, Marcello Conte. World Premiere.War Story / U.S.A. (Director: Mark Jackson, Screenwriters: Kristin Gore, Mark Jackson) — A war photographer retreats to a small town in Sicily after being held captive during the conflict in Libya. Cast: Catherine Keener, Hafsia Herzi, Vincenzo Amato, Donatella Finocchiaro, Ben Kingsley. World Premiere.
U.S. DOCUMENTARY COMPETITIONAlive Inside: A Story of Music &amp; Memory / U.S.A. (Director: Michael Rossato-Bennett) — Five million Americans suffer from Alzheimer's disease and dementia—many of them alone in nursing homes. A man with a simple idea discovers that songs embedded deep in memory can ease pain and awaken these fading minds. Joy and life are resuscitated, and our cultural fears over aging are confronted. All the Beautiful Things / U.S.A. (Director: John Harkrider) — John and Barron are lifelong friends whose friendship is tested when Barron's girlfriend says Barron put a knife to her throat and raped her. Not knowing she has lied, John tells her to go to the police. Years later, John and Barron meet in a bar to resolve the betrayal.CAPTIVATED The Trials of Pamela Smart / U.S.A., United Kingdom (Director: Jeremiah Zagar) — In an extraordinary and tragic American story, a small town murder becomes one of the highest profile cases of all time. From its historic role as the first televised trial to the many books and movies made about it, the film looks at the media’s enduring impact on the case. The Case Against 8 / U.S.A. (Directors: Ben Cotner, Ryan White) — A behind-the-scenes look inside the case to overturn California's ban on same-sex marriage. Shot over five years, the film follows the unlikely team that took the first federal marriage equality lawsuit to the U.S. Supreme Court.Cesar's Last Fast / U.S.A. (Directors: Richard Ray Perez, Lorena Parlee) — Inspired by Catholic social teaching, Cesar Chavez risked his life fighting for America’s poorest workers. The film illuminates the intensity of one man’s devotion and personal sacrifice, the birth of an economic justice movement, and tells an untold chapter in the story of civil rights in America. Dinosaur 13 / U.S.A. (Director: Todd Miller) — The true tale behind one of the greatest discoveries in history. Day One film.E-TEAM / U.S.A. (Directors: Katy Chevigny, Ross Kauffman) — E-TEAM is driven by the high-stakes investigative work of four intrepid human rights workers, offering a rare look at their lives at home and their dramatic work in the field. Fed Up / U.S.A. (Director: Stephanie Soechtig) — Fed Up blows the lid off everything we thought we knew about food and weight loss, revealing a 30-year campaign by the food industry, aided by the U.S. government, to mislead and confuse the American public, resulting in one of the largest health epidemics in history. The Internet's Own Boy: The Story of Aaron Swartz / U.S.A. (Director: Brian Knappenberger) — Programming prodigy and information activist Aaron Swartz achieved groundbreaking work in social justice and political organizing. His passion for open access ensnared him in a legal nightmare that ended with the taking of his own life at the age of 26. Ivory Tower / U.S.A. (Director: Andrew Rossi) — As tuition spirals upward and student debt passes a trillion dollars, students and parents ask, "Is college worth it?" From the halls of Harvard to public and private colleges in financial crisis to education startups in Silicon Valley, an urgent portrait emerges of a great American institution at the breaking point. Marmato / U.S.A. (Director: Mark Grieco) — Colombia is the center of a new global gold rush, and Marmato, a historic mining town, is the new frontier. Filmed over the course of nearly six years, Marmato chronicles how townspeople confront a Canadian mining company that wants the $20 billion in gold beneath their homes. No No: A Dockumentary / U.S.A. (Director: Jeffrey Radice) — Dock Ellis pitched a no-hitter on LSD, then worked for decades counseling drug abusers. Dock's soulful style defined 1970s baseball as he kept hitters honest and embarrassed the establishment. An ensemble cast of teammates, friends, and family investigate his life on the field, in the media, and out of the spotlight. The Overnighters / U.S.A. (Director: Jesse Moss) — Desperate, broken men chase their dreams and run from their demons in the North Dakota oil fields. A local Pastor's decision to help them has extraordinary and unexpected consequences.Private Violence / U.S.A. (Director: Cynthia Hill) — One in four women experience violence in their homes. Have you ever asked, “Why doesn't she just leave?” Private Violence shatters the brutality of our logic and intimately reveals the stories of two women: Deanna Walters, who transforms from victim to survivor, and Kit Gruelle, who advocates for justice. Rich Hill / U.S.A. (Directors: Andrew Droz Palermo, Tracy Droz Tragos) — In a rural, American town, kids face heartbreaking choices, find comfort in the most fragile of family bonds, and dream of a future of possibility. Watchers of the Sky / U.S.A. (Director: Edet Belzberg) — Five interwoven stories of remarkable courage from Nuremberg to Rwanda, from Darfur to Syria, and from apathy to action. WORLD CINEMA DRAMATIC COMPETITION
52 Tuesdays / Australia (Director: Sophie Hyde, Screenplay and story by: Matthew Cormack, Story by: Sophie Hyde) — Sixteen-year-old Billie’s reluctant path to independence is accelerated when her mother reveals plans for gender transition, and their time together becomes limited to Tuesdays. This emotionally charged story of desire, responsibility, and transformation was filmed over the course of a year—once a week, every week, only on Tuesdays. Cast: Tilda Cobham-Hervey, Del Herbert-Jane, Imogen Archer, Mario Späte, Beau Williams, Sam Althuizen. International Premiere.Blind / Norway, Netherlands (Director and screenwriter: Eskil Vogt) — Having recently lost her sight, Ingrid retreats to the safety of her home—a place she can feel in control, alone with her husband and her thoughts. But Ingrid's real problems lie within, not beyond the walls of her apartment, and her deepest fears and repressed fantasies soon take over. Cast: Ellen Dorrit Petersen, Henrik Rafaelsen, Vera Vitali, Marius Kolbenstvedt. World Premiere.Difret / Ethiopia (Director and screenwriter: Zeresenay Berhane Mehari) — Meaza Ashenafi is a young lawyer who operates under the government's radar helping women and children until one young girl's legal case exposes everything, threatening not only her career but her survival. Cast: Meron Getnet, Tizita Hagere. World Premiere.The Disobedient / Serbia (Director and screenwriter: Mina Djukic) — Leni anxiously waits for her childhood friend Lazar, who is coming back to their hometown after years of studying abroad. After they reunite, they embark on a random bicycle trip around their childhood haunts, which will either exhaust or reinvent their relationship. Cast: Hana Selimovic, Mladen Sovilj, Minja Subota, Danijel Sike, Ivan Djordjevic. World Premiere.God Help the Girl / United Kingdom (Director and screenwriter: Stuart Murdoch) — This musical from Stuart Murdoch of Belle &amp; Sebastian is about some messed up boys and girls and the music they made. Cast: Emily Browning, Olly Alexander, Hannah Murray, Cora Bissett, Pierre Boulanger. World Premiere.Liar's Dice / India (Director and screenwriter: Geetu Mohandas) — Kamala, a young woman from the village of Chitkul, leaves her native land with her daughter to search for her missing husband. Along the journey, they encounter Nawazudin, a free-spirited army deserter with his own selfish motives who helps them reach their destination. Cast: Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Geetanjali Thapa, Manya Gupta. International Premiere.Lilting / United Kingdom (Director and screenwriter: Hong Khaou) — The world of a Chinese mother mourning the untimely death of her son is suddenly disrupted by the presence of a stranger who doesn't speak her language. Lilting is a touching and intimate film about finding the things that bring us together. Cast: Ben Whishaw, Pei-Pei Cheng, Andrew Leung, Peter Bowles, Naomi Christie, Morven Christie. World Premiere.
Lock Charmer (El cerrajero) / Argentina (Director and screenwriter: Natalia Smirnoff) — Upon learning that his girlfriend is pregnant, 33-year-old locksmith Sebastian begins to have strange visions about his clients. With the help of an unlikely assistant, he sets out to use his newfound talent for his own good. Cast: Esteban Lamothe, Erica Rivas, Yosiria Huaripata. World Premiere.To Kill a Man / Chile, France (Director and screenwriter: Alejandro Fernandez Almendras) — When Jorge, a hardworking family man who's barely making ends meet, gets mugged by Kalule, a neighborhood delinquent, Jorge's son decides to confront the attacker, only to get himself shot. Even though Jorge's son nearly dies, Kalule's sentence is minimal, heightening the friction. Cast: Daniel Candia, Daniel Antivilo, Alejandra Yañez, Ariel Mateluna. World Premiere.Viktoria / Bulgaria, Romania (Director and screenwriter: Maya Vitkova) — Although determined not to have a child in Communist Bulgaria, Boryana gives birth to Viktoria, who despite being born with no umbilical cord, is proclaimed to be the baby of the decade. But political collapse and the hardships of the new time bind mother and daughter together. Cast: Irmena Chichikova, Daria Vitkova, Kalina Vitkova, Mariana Krumova, Dimo Dimov, Georgi Spassov. World Premiere.Wetlands / Germany (Director: David Wnendt, Screenwriters: Claus Falkenberg, David Wnendt, based on the novel by Charlotte Roche) — Meet Helen Memel. She likes to experiment with vegetables while masturbating and thinks that bodily hygiene is greatly overrated. She shocks those around her by speaking her mind in a most unladylike manner on topics that many people would not even dare consider. Cast: Carla Juri, Christoph Letkowski, Meret Becker, Axel Milberg, Marlen Kruse, Edgar Selge. North American Premiere.White Shadow / Italy, Germany, Tanzania (Director: Noaz Deshe, Screenwriters: Noaz Deshe, James Masson) — Alias is a young albino boy on the run. His mother has sent him away to find refuge in the city after witnessing his father's murder. Over time, the city becomes no different than the bush: wherever Alias travels, the same rules of survival apply. Cast: Hamisi Bazili, James Gayo, Glory Mbayuwayu, Salum Abdallah. International Premiere.
WORLD CINEMA DOCUMENTARY COMPETITION
20,000 Days On Earth / United Kingdom (Directors: Iain Forsyth &amp; Jane Pollard) — Drama and reality combine in a fictitious 24 hours in the life of musician and international culture icon Nick Cave. With startlingly frank insights and an intimate portrayal of the artistic process, this film examines what makes us who we are and celebrates the transformative power of the creative spirit. World Premiere.Concerning Violence / Sweden, U.S.A., Denmark, Finland (Director: Göran Hugo Olsson) — Concerning Violence is based on newly discovered, powerful archival material documenting the most daring moments in the struggle for liberation in the Third World, accompanied by classic text from The Wretched of the Earth by Frantz Fanon. World Premiere.The Green Prince / Germany, Israel, United Kingdom (Director: Nadav Schirman ) — This real-life thriller tells the story of one of Israel’s prized intelligence sources, recruited to spy on his own people for more than a decade. Focusing on the complex relationship with his handler, The Green Prince is a gripping account of terror, betrayal, and unthinkable choices, along with a friendship that defies all boundaries. World Premiere.
Happiness / France, Finland (Director: Thomas Balmès) — Peyangki is a dreamy and solitary eight-year-old monk living in Laya, a Bhutanese village perched high in the Himalayas. Soon the world will come to him: the village is about to be connected to electricity, and the first television will flicker on before Peyangki's eyes. North American Premiere.Love Child / South Korea, U.S.A. (Director: Valerie Veatch) — In Seoul in the Republic of Korea, a young couple stands accused of neglect when "Internet addiction" in an online fantasy game costs the life of their infant daughter. Love Child documents the 2010 trial and subsequent ruling that set a global precedent in a world where virtual is the new reality. World Premiere.Mr leos caraX / France (Director: Tessa Louise-Salomé) — Mr leos caraX plunges us into the poetic and visionary world of a mysterious, solitary filmmaker who was already a cult figure from his very first film. Punctuated by interviews and previously unseen footage, this documentary is most of all a fine-tuned exploration of the poetic and visionary world of Leos Carax, alias Mr. X. World Premiere.My Prairie Home / Canada (Director: Chelsea McMullan) — A poetic journey through landscapes both real and emotional, Chelsea McMullan’s documentary/musical offers an intimate portrait of transgender singer Rae Spoon, framed by stunning images of the Canadian prairies. McMullan’s imaginative visual interpretations of Spoon’s songs make this an unforgettable look at a unique Canadian artist. International Premiere.The Notorious Mr. Bout / U.S.A., Russia (Directors: Tony Gerber, Maxim Pozdorovkin) — Viktor Bout was a war profiteer, an entrepreneur, an aviation tycoon, an arms dealer, and—strangest of all—a documentary filmmaker. The Notorious Mr. Bout is the ultimate rags-to-riches-to-prison memoir, documented by the last man you'd expect to be holding the camera. World Premiere.Return to Homs / Syria, Germany (Director: Talal Derki) — Basset Sarout, the 19-year-old national football team goalkeeper, becomes a demonstration leader and singer, and then a fighter. Ossama, a 24-year-old renowned citizen cameraman, is critical, a pacifist, and ironic until he is detained by the regime's security forces. North American Premiere.SEPIDEH – Reaching for the Stars / Denmark (Director: Berit Madsen) — Sepideh wants to become an astronaut. As a young Iranian woman, she knows it’s dangerous to challenge traditions and expectations. Still, Sepideh holds on to her dream. She knows a tough battle is ahead, a battle that only seems possible to win once she seeks help from an unexpected someone. North American Premiere.We Come as Friends / France, Austria (Director: Hubert Sauper) — We Come as Friends views colonization as a human phenomenon through both explicit and metaphoric lenses without oversimplified accusations or political theorizing. Alarmingly, It is not a historical film since colonization and the slave trade still exist. World Premiere.Web Junkie / Israel (Directors: Shosh Shlam, Hilla Medalia) — China is the first country to label “Internet addiction” a clinical disorder. Web Junkie investigates a Beijing rehab center where Chinese teenagers are deprogrammed. World Premiere.
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Lions Gate via Everett Collection
When we last left our heroes, they had conquered all opponents in the 74th Annual Hunger Games, returned home to their newly refurbished living quarters in District 12, and fallen haplessly to the cannibalism of PTSD. And now we're back! Hitching our wagons once again to laconic Katniss Everdeen and her sweet-natured, just-for-the-camera boyfriend Peeta Mellark as they gear up for a second go at the Capitol's killing fields.
But hold your horses — there's a good hour and a half before we step back into the arena. However, the time spent with Katniss and Peeta before the announcement that they'll be competing again for the ceremonial Quarter Quell does not drag. In fact, it's got some of the film franchise's most interesting commentary about celebrity, reality television, and the media so far, well outweighing the merit of The Hunger Games' satire on the subject matter by having Katniss struggle with her responsibilities as Panem's idol. Does she abide by the command of status quo, delighting in the public's applause for her and keeping them complacently saturated with her smiles and curtsies? Or does Katniss hold three fingers high in opposition to the machine into which she has been thrown? It's a quarrel that the real Jennifer Lawrence would handle with a castigation of the media and a joke about sandwiches, or something... but her stakes are, admittedly, much lower. Harvey Weinstein isn't threatening to kill her secret boyfriend.
Through this chapter, Katniss also grapples with a more personal warfare: her devotion to Gale (despite her inability to commit to the idea of love) and her family, her complicated, moralistic affection for Peeta, her remorse over losing Rue, and her agonizing desire to flee the eye of the public and the Capitol. Oftentimes, Katniss' depression and guilty conscience transcends the bounds of sappy. Her soap opera scenes with a soot-covered Gale really push the limits, saved if only by the undeniable grace and charisma of star Lawrence at every step along the way of this film. So it's sappy, but never too sappy.
In fact, Catching Fire is a masterpiece of pushing limits as far as they'll extend before the point of diminishing returns. Director Francis Lawrence maintains an ambiance that lends to emotional investment but never imposes too much realism as to drip into territories of grit. All of Catching Fire lives in a dreamlike state, a stark contrast to Hunger Games' guttural, grimacing quality that robbed it of the life force Suzanne Collins pumped into her first novel.
Once we get to the thunderdome, our engines are effectively revved for the "fun part." Katniss, Peeta, and their array of allies and enemies traverse a nightmare course that seems perfectly suited for a videogame spin-off. At this point, we've spent just enough time with the secondary characters to grow a bit fond of them — deliberately obnoxious Finnick, jarringly provocative Johanna, offbeat geeks Beedee and Wiress — but not quite enough to dissolve the mystery surrounding any of them or their true intentions (which become more and more enigmatic as the film progresses). We only need adhere to Katniss and Peeta once tossed in the pit of doom that is the 75th Hunger Games arena, but finding real characters in the other tributes makes for a far more fun round of extreme manhunt.
But Catching Fire doesn't vie for anything particularly grand. It entertains and engages, having fun with and anchoring weight to its characters and circumstances, but stays within the expected confines of what a Hunger Games movie can be. It's a good one, but without shooting for succinctly interesting or surprising work with Katniss and her relationships or taking a stab at anything but the obvious in terms of sending up the militant tyrannical autocracy, it never even closes in on the possibility of being a great one.
3.5/5
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There's a new movie with Julianne Hough that isn't Safe Haven 2? We had no idea either. The movie Paradise is the directorial debut from the writer of Juno, Diablo Cody. It's also equipped with a star studded cast of Oscar winner Octavia Spencer from The Help, the hilarious Nick Offerman from Parks and Recreation, and Russell Brand (enough said). But somehow this film hasn't managed to generate much buzz until this week, the same week of its television premiere.
Yes, that's right, Paradise will premiere exclusively on DirecTV this Thursday, Aug. 8, before its theater debut on October 18. It's an unconventional but also quite concerning marketing strategy. If the audience already has this indie flick at their fingertips months before it comes out in theaters, will anyone even bother to see it? More importantly, is this film going to be any good at all? We're not sold just yet.
Paradise tells the tale of an uber-Christian, evangelical girl (Hough) who wants to stray from her religious ways after she survives a plane crash with serious burn injuries. She books it to Las Vegas in order to embark on a lifestyle of sin where she meets a bartender (Brand) and a showgirl (Spencer), and her life-changing, eye-opening, journey ensues (forgive the cliches). While it's interesting to see Hough step out of her comfort zone, it remains to be seen whether she can pull off capturing Cody's vision, as well as the audience's attention. Check out the trailer for yourself, and gear up for a night in this Thursday. Why not? It's free and you don't even have to leave your couch.
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Rocker Nick Cave has confirmed a decade-old myth suggesting he penned a sequel to Roman epic Gladiator. The singer/songwriter has revealed he was approached by Russell Crowe to write the script for the follow-up to the film, which won the actor an Oscar.
Movie experts thought the story was little more than a prank made up to entertain journalists at junkets and press conferences, but Cave has now admitted it's true.
He tells U.S. comedian Mark Maron's WTF podcast, "He (Crowe) rang me up and asked if I wanted to write Gladiator 2. For someone who had only written one film script, it was quite an ask.
"(I said), 'Hey Russell, didn't you die in Gladiator 1?' 'Yeah, you sort that out.' So, he goes down to purgatory and is sent down by the gods, who are dying in heaven because there's this one god, there's this Christ character, down on Earth who is gaining popularity and so the many gods are dying so they send Gladiator back to kill Christ and his followers."
Cave adds, "I wanted to call it Christ Killer and in the end you find out that the main guy was his son, so he has to kill his son and he was tricked by the gods. He becomes this eternal warrior and it ends with this 20 minute war scene which follows all the wars in history, right up to Vietnam and all that sort of stuff and it was wild.
"It was a stone cold masterpiece. I enjoyed writing it very much because I knew on every level that it was never going to get made. Let's call it a popcorn dropper."

No matter how many jobs you're working, children you're raising, relationships you're juggling, or nations to which you're feigning allegiance in a grand effort to undermine the global economy, there's always time to add a new television show to your roster. Or, say, 30. Luckily for all the workaholics, doting parents, love-seekers, and double agents out there, E! has got a brand new slate of programs and specials on the way to distract you from your doubtlessly failing life expeditions.
Among the notable entries among E!'s six upcoming series, 10 upcoming specials, and 17 projects in developmental stages are a reality show about the band members of The Wanted, an in-depth look at the life of 50 Cent, and an expedition led by multihyphenate Nick Cannon to give his grandparents a home makeover.
Check out E!'s complete list of new and developing shows and specials below:
NEW SERIES
The Wanted Life — Sunday, June 2 at 10:30 PM ET/PT (moves to regular timeslot starting Sunday, June 9 at 10:00 PM ET/PT)This new half-hour series will chronicle the personal and professional lives of the edgy pop music powerhouse, The Wanted, who has already taken the world by storm. Viewers will see an unfiltered look inside the world of the chart-topping UK pop band as they head to sunny California to record their third album, gear up for their new US &amp; Europe tour later in 2013 and solidify their top ranking on American pop music charts, along with their surprising dynamics and interpersonal relationships. Produced by Ryan Seacrest Productions, Scooter Braun Projects and Global Talent TV.
Total Divas — Sunday, July 28 at 10:00 PM ET/PTRevealing the real women behind the WWE Divas for the first time, this new one-hour series proves that the drama is even bigger when the sexy superstars step outside the ring. “Total Divas” goes inside the personal lives of these glitzy, glamorous celebrities who entertain sold-out crowds in arenas around the world and are adored by millions of fans. “Total Divas” is produced by WWE and Bunim-Murray Productions. Jon Murray, Gil Goldshein, Jeff Jenkins and Russell Jay are Executive Producers for Bunim-Murray Productions.
Pop Innovators — July 2013This new series showcases the most influential names in pop culture in their own words. We love them for what they bring to our world, and how they have helped define pop culture and captured the collective zeitgeist. These are the people who, as leaders in their respective fields, have taken their fame and gone in new directions to become influencers across a wide range of topics, and who inspire others to do the same. The first episode of “Pop Innovators” will offer an in-depth look at the life and career of Will.i.am from his point of view and will also feature interviews with other celebrities that he’s influenced most.
Love and Other Contact Sports: Eric and Jessie — Late summer 2013From Khloé &amp; Lamar to Kendra &amp; Hank, E! has followed the romantic celebrity relationships of popular athletes and their gorgeous companions for years. The new Love and Other Contact Sports franchise will take viewers inside the confines of even more celebrity/athlete romances starting with country/pop singer Jessie James and her fiancé, Denver Broncos wide receiver Eric Decker whose wedding is quickly approaching. The series will chronicle the sexy young couple’s road to the altar as they juggle careers, relationships, family and more. Currently residing in their Denver dream home, they share an ambition to succeed, a charmingly fun and unfiltered outlook on life, and most of all, a red hot attraction for each other. Produced by Shed Media U.S.
Hello Ross (working title) — Fall 2013As the ultimate pop culture fan forum, this new interactive talk show is hosted by the super fan himself, Ross Mathews. Fans will have the unique opportunity to share their opinion on all the latest in pop culture, debate the most buzzworthy topics and come face to face with their favorite celebrities. From Borderline Amazing Productions.
The Trend — Fall 2013This news series will feature a team of experts and celebrity contributors discussing all things fashion, beauty and design.
NEW SPECIALS
Blinging Up Baby — Thursday, May 2 at 10:00 PM ET/PTThere is nothing more buzzworthy in Hollywood these days than celeb parents and their star tots who fill the pages of weekly magazines. In this one-hour special hosted by Melissa Rycroft, E! explores how the stars are heralding stork visits, from preparing luxurious nurseries, to exotic and ultra-pricey “babymoons,” to dazzling “push presents,” outrageous celebrity baby and toddler gifts, and more. If it is hot in the world of celebrity mommyhood, you’ll find out about it here. From Comcast Entertainment Studios.
Nick Cannon’s Big Surprise — Thursday, May 9 at 10:00 PM ET/PTSexy actor, singer and TV personality Nick Cannon has a big surprise. Grateful to his grandparents who helped raise him, Cannon shows his appreciation with a surprise home makeover. Through the process, the star will share childhood memories, photos and videos as the audience gets an intimate look back at his life. But will his highly opinionated grandmother, actually like what he does with her place? There’s only one way to find out. Produced by Entertainment One.
Holly Has A Baby — May 12 at 9:00 PM ET/PTHolly Madison just took on the biggest role of her life when she became a mommy to a baby girl she named Rainbow Aurora Rotella. In this one-hour Mother’s Day special, viewers will follow Holly to the hospital for the big event, and share in all she did to prepare for her new arrival with boyfriend Pasquale Rotella. Then, we’re invited home with the trio as they share with us exactly what the future holds for Holly and her new family, including the possibility of wedding bells. From Comcast Entertainment Studios.
The Untold Story: Jason Derulo — Tuesday, May 14 at 10:00 PM ET/PTSimon Cowell said he would be huge, Lady Gaga said he’s “a freakin’ superstar,” and Jordin Sparks calls him, boyfriend. He was well on his way to the top when an injury sidelined his career, and could have nearly ended his life. This half-hour special is a turbulent ride with Derulo as he battles his way back from injury. With never-before-seen footage and exclusive behind-the-scenes access, we’ll uncover the real man behind the persona of music royalty’s newest member. From Comcast Entertainment Studios.
Ryan Seacrest with The Wanted: An E! Special — Monday, May 27 at 10:30 PM ET/PTDays before the premiere of their highly anticipated new E! series, Seacrest is sitting down with the bad boys of pop, and no topic is off limits. Discussing their music, rock star lifestyles and their much-buzzed-about personal lives, The Wanted open up to Seacrest in this new one-hour special.
Bigger, Badder Celebrity Feuds — Tuesday, May 28 at 10:00 PMThe Hatfields and McCoys had nothing on some of Hollywood’s biggest and most explosive feuds, and this one-hour special pulls out all the stops to reveal the gritty details of what went down between Chris Brown and Frank Ocean, Halle Berry’s ex and her current squeeze, Kelsey and Camille, and many, many more. From Comcast Entertainment Studios.
E! Special: Brooke Burke — June 2013Giuliana Rancic is sitting down with the sexy actress and TV personality who has helped make Dancing With the Stars one of today’s biggest television sensations. Opening up about her career, family and personal life, Burke shares her ups, downs and everything in between with Giuliana from her home in Los Angeles.
Secret Societies of Hollywood — Late Summer 2013Beyond the red carpet and behind the security gates lies a forbidden Hollywood that only the rich and famous know about …until now. Secret Societies of Hollywood is a two-hour documentary that will expose the cults, cabals and underground clubs that exist in today’s entertainment industry. From Prometheus Entertainment.
50 Hours with 50 Cent — Fall 2013What is it like to be 50 Cent? One lucky super fan gets to find out. This special captures 50 hours with 50 Cent as one of his biggest fans gets to spend exactly that amount of time with him. Viewers will experience over two full days with this iconic rapper, entrepreneur and businessman as he enters global promotional mode leading up to the release of his newest album.
Inner Circle — Fall 2013A new experiment in storytelling from Executive Producer Ashley Tisdale, these specials will feature celebrities picking a member of their inner circle (a trusted friend, family member or close confidant) to tell their real story and to ask the questions. More conversation than interview, it’s an emotionally charged journey where the celebrities let their guards down, open up and have fun with someone from their “inner circle.” From Blondie Girl Productions and Relativity Television.
NEW UNSCRIPTED PROJECTS IN DEVELOPMENT (working titles):
Young SonomaThis series chronicles the personal and professional lives of premier families at the top of their game in world renowned wine country, Sonoma Valley. Featuring Envolve Winery’s Ben Flajnik (“The Bachelor”), Mike and Kate Benziger, Danny and Collette Fay, and B.R. Cohn Winery’s Vallerie and Tasha Cohn, the series goes inside the day-to-day drama that comes from living in a small town, working with friends and family, as well as being local and national celebrities. From Mandt Bros Productions.
Queens Are WildDocu-soap that goes inside the high-stakes world of gambling and follows four of the top female poker players as they live together, travel the world and compete to win millions. From Tollin Productions, Inc.
Palazzo RiggiThrough the eyes of the outrageous family who lives there and the staff that run it, this new docusoap takes viewers inside a unique, luxurious world filled with eccentric personalities and gives viewers a glimpse into a jaw dropping, elaborate 24,000-square-foot family estate in upstate New York that boasts an authentic English pub, Balinese wellness spa and perfectly heated lawn that is designed to keep the paws of the family’s 35 dogs warm year-round. From AEP Media and Machete.
FlashThis self-contained competition elimination series pits up-and-coming photographers against one another. In each episode, the photographers are given a real world challenge with real clients from the world of pop culture, who expect an amazing photo to sell their brand, talent or idea. Each week the winning photographer will get the exposure that could help launch their career. From Super Delicious.
Sex &amp; Real EstateSet in Miami, this new docusoap follows the personal and professional lives of a group of hot, successful real estate agents at the top of their game as they juggle a world where business always mixes with pleasure. From FremantleMedia North America and Purveyors of Pop.
The Soup InvestigatesThe Soup Investigates is a new spin-off series of E!’s popular comedy franchise The Soup that will answer all the questions that pop culture fans never thought to ask, and then some. How DOES that rose get from the grower’s field to The Bachelor‘s hand just in time for the all important rose ceremony? What is life like inside the fascinating world of the Mother Duckers, the families who make their living creating duck callers who WEREN’T cast inDuck Dynasty? Host Joel McHale and our investigative reporters will be working around the clock to get to the truth, or at least a very plausible facsimile thereof.
NEW TOPICAL / COMEDY PROJECTS IN DEVELOPMENT (working titles):
James Davis ShowSketch comedy show parodying a wide range of pop culture subjects and personalities starring actor/comic/writer, James Davis. From Funny or Die Media, Inc.
White People Can’t DanceFrom Executive Producer Jack Osbourne and Vin Di Bona, this tongue-in-cheek format show features a team of experts who analyze some of the more outrageous stereotypes perpetuated by pop culture. Each episode our team will put multiple stereotypes to the test to determine which are fact and which are fiction. From FishBowl Worldwide Media and Schweet Entertainment.
Secrets &amp; LiesSecrets &amp; Lies is the game show, based on the classic parlor game three truths and a lie, that tests pop culture fans’ knowledge of their favorite celebrities while revealing shocking secrets about the stars we THINK we know and love. From Shine America’s format label Ardaban.
NEW SCRIPTED PROJECTS IN DEVELOPMENT (working titles):
Laurel CanyonIn this drama from executive producers Josh Schwartz (The O.C., Gossip Girl, Chuck) and Stephanie Savage (The O.C., Gossip Girl, Carrie Diaries) and executive producer/writer Karen Croner (Admission, One True Thing), a young woman returns to her dysfunctional, extended family in Laurel Canyon with her son after hearing her rock-star legend father has passed away. Based on Croner’s experience of growing up in the Hollywood Hills, the project is from Schwartz and Savage’s Fake Empire in association with Warner Horizon Television. Fake Empire head of television Len Goldstein (The Carrie Diaries) also serves as executive producer.
The Stand-InA darkly psychological re-telling of The Prince &amp; the Pauper set behind the scenes of one of Hollywood’s most famous actresses, who, tired of the spotlight, runs away in search of a normal life. Desperate, her family secretly hires a look-a-like to step into the star’s glamorous world and high profile career — only to have the doppelganger slowly lose herself in the process of becoming someone else. From Executive Producers Ryan Seacrest, Nina Wass and Adam Sher, Ryan Seacrest Productions, Universal Cable Productions and writer Craig Chester.
SongbyrdFrom writer Krista Vernoff (Grey’s Anatomy, Private Practice, Shameless), a young, prolific songwriter of some of the best love songs struggles to find love in her personal life after her inspiration is revealed to be a lie. Featuring the songs and experiences of Grammy winner Diane Warren, who Executive Produces with Craig Zadan &amp; Neil Meron (The 2013 Academy Awards,Chicago, Smash) and Vernoff. From Universal Television and Universal Cable Productions.
ExpectationsFrom writer Ron Bass (Oscar winning writer of Rain Man, Sleeping with the Enemy), inspired by the classic Dickens work, a soap about a morally corrupt family in the diamond business set in New York City. Executive produced by Oscar winner Dan Jinks (American Beauty, Milk). From CBS Television Studios.
The ShorelineThe golden child of a small coastal town in South Carolina returns home to see that a major Hollywood prime time soap, The Shore Line Yacht Club, is the biggest employer in town. An enormous class divide separates the cast and producers from the townspeople, yet their lives are now continuously and irrevocably intertwined — for better or for worse. From writer Carolyn Ingber and executive produced by Becky Hartman Edwards (Switched at Birth, Parenthood). From Fox Television Studios.
Dirty/PrettyFrom Keith Eisner (The Good Wife, Law &amp; Order), Jason Markarian and John Mirabella, a dark comedy centering on a blue collar guy from south Boston who gets scouted to be a model in Miami. Life gets turned upside down when his two best friends join him and see his new life as a way to expand their criminal activities. Gale Anne Hurd/Valhalla Entertainment will act as Executive Producer. From Universal Cable Productions.
Fortunate SonFramed for a drug deal by a friend from his hard-partying days, society golden boy Michael Baron becomes a criminal informant and is at the mercy of the police. He bounces between his privileged west side of Los Angeles existence and the case he is forced to work in the slums. But his dark past gives Michael some leverage over his fate, and he makes a dangerous deal that could clear his name. Or get him killed. From writer and Co-Executive Producer Joey Falco and Executive Producers Kevin Spacey, Michael DeLuca and Dana Brunetti. From Universal Cable Productions.
The RoyalsPart fairy tale, part cautionary tale, this contemporary family ensemble is steeped in all of the regal opulence of the British Monarchy and framed by Shakespeare’s Hamlet. It’s a tale of men and women corrupted by power, wealth and desire while looking at the nature of celebrity from a Royals’ point of view. Executive produced and written by Mark Schwahn (One Tree Hill) and executive produced by Brian Robbins and Joe Davola (One Tree Hill, Smallville). From Lionsgate
Follow Michael Arbeiter on Twitter @MichaelArbeiter
More:Comedy Central Won't Renew 'Futurama' For Further Seasons'What Would Ryan Lochte Do?' Here's a List.Fox Renews 'Glee' for Seasons 5 and 6
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New Girl has pulled off a wildly impressive, if not nearly impossible feat in television: they have explored new territory and advanced character developments, all while following the same exact structure for three weeks in a row.
Now, hear me out on this one. I'm not saying "Quick Hardening Caulk", "Chicago", and tonight's "First Date" were the same episodes, far from. What I'm saying is they have split the foursome into Schmidt and Winston, who have solidified themselves as the group's BFFs, and then Nick and Jess, whose tension-filled relationship continues to find itself in a grey area (a very, very sexy grey area). Nick, who has become the central character of the show (Who's that boy? It's Nick!), only converses with Winston and Schmidt when he needs to pow-wow and Jess, and his struggles with Jess (very, very sexy struggles) are what's anchoring everything.
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I'm not complaining about this. I think the show is at the top of its game right now in terms of writing, performances (Jake Johnson does not waste a second of his time or ours), and overall execution. It's pleasing (and, okay, teasing) Nick and Jess 'shippers, as well as finally making Winston a well-rounded and hilarious part of the dynamic. I just wonder how long it can go on like this. I'm not tired of the Nick and Jess teasing, I think the writers are playing it safe by pumping the breaks. Not just to avoid pulling the trigger too soon on their romance (Exhibit A: Jim and Pam on The Office, who turned from sweet to insufferable) but because it's far more realistic. Friends who are dancing around the idea of a relationship, especially when such deep feelings are involved can skirt around it for years.
"First Date" didn't skirt around it's title though: Nick and Jess went on their first awkward, telling, sexually-charged date. Nick pretty much plunged right into the awkward realm when grabbed Jess' breasts (well, more her breast plate, really) to try to break up the tension. You've gotta love the guy, but making situations more comfortable isn't exactly his forte. Consider how he tried to define their indefinable relationship: "Roommates who make out, are attracted to each other, and sometimes genuinely hate each other." Okay, but what are you?
Nick was plagued by the question and turned to his old non-English speaking pal Tran (who you'll remember from "Menzies") for answers. The thing about Nick is, for as clueless as he appears, he knows the score. He knows that he and Jess have a chemistry that can't be denied, that his father just died and life is too short to miss out on things, and that he wants stability, he just doesn't quite know how to get there. But then he had the biggest realization of all while talking with Tran. Well, talking at Tran, really. He realized he was falling in love and that he needed to tell Jess: "Jessica, you are a beautiful women and my life has not been the same since I met you would mean the world if you went on a date with me." Good god, Miller. How does he do that? How does a guy who moonwalks out of awkward situations say things like that? Of course, when he actually approached Jess, it didn't come out quite so eloquently. In fact, he just sputtered out, "If so, food?" after calling her Jess-ica and Dirty J.
Unaware she was being asked out on their first date, Dirty J obliged. Jess is usually pretty loopy, but I'm on her side on this one. That was barely a sentence, let alone a proposal for a romantic date. With a "yes", Nick turned to Winston and Schmidt (I'll get to their shenanigans soon, I promise) for helped getting dressed ("I'm wearing Schmidt!") and preparation in seducing a woman. It was Schmidt had been waiting their entire friendship for. Like true pals, they didn't encourage him so much as remind him not to bring up the following: "You're cheap, you're a heavy drinker, you're broke, you have a problem with anger...and your car is horrible." That's what friends are for. Seriously.
Nick couldn't come up with a good lie about who he was seeing (he barely muttered out "Yolanda...Winston" before his buddies quickly figured out it was Jess he's be wooing) but it wasn't those two clowns he'd have to worry about. Dressed in a sharp suit and a table reserved at a fancy restaurant, he was ready for some serious romance, while an unaware Jess showed up in super casual clothes and met him at a hot dog stand. They were, for the first time in a few weeks, operating on completely different wavelengths.
Sidebar: As much as I credit Johnson as the show's MVP, which he is, I'm giving most improved to Zooey Deschanel. She has turned an animated character to a fully-fleshed out, relatable human being. You aren't mad at her for putting up her defenses with Nick, you just realize she's protecting herself. Who can't relate to that? End sidebar.
Unfortunately, that pretty much set the tone for the night: mixed messages and missteps. In Nick's case, quite literally, stepping off the curb earned him, a $340 jaywalking ticket, earned the wrath of a police officer, and at long last settled the case of New York vs. Los Angeles argument. That would never happen in New York. Ever. Jess figured out that it was a date, but Nick wouldn't confirm that it was. Fancy Man himself Russell walked in ("The only man we've both loved", as Nick hilariously put it) with his young arm candy (Jess was right about him and his preference of younger rebound women) making the awkwardness that much more amplified when he told them he was glad their relationship was "finally happening."
They were left with only one option on their disastrous attempt at a first date, which was erratic and uneven: drink. "Drinking to forget? That's my sweet spot!" Nick declared. And, wouldn't you know it, booze helped loosen these two up and have them admit how they turn each other on (for Nick, it's when Jess asks to have jars opened and for Jess, it's when Nick gurgles his beer). "It's hard for me to deal with, it's too hot," Nick said, forever ruining your life because yes please.
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It seemed like things were finally getting on track for these two until they bumped into Russell again (Dermot Mulroney is rocking some crazy long hair now, no?) and said they he had "no opinion" about either of them (which is, somehow, more infuriating than an opinion) and dared them to define their relationship, setting them right back at square one. With a question looming of them that they were too afraid to answer, but knew what the answer was, it was back to boob grabs ("They've got a good squish to 'em") and lingering.
Back at the apartment, the scene was a familiar one to "Cooler" and "Quick Hardening Caulk" in that it was Nick and Jess alone, with the air hanging heavy between them. Nick opened her jar and then gurgled his beer in front of her. They walked to their bedrooms together. There was a screaming silence. All they could muster out was "Goodnight Miller" and "Goodnight Day", closing the door on the whole thing. Whether that be their first real hookup or an actual relationship, well, that's for us to find out as this mixed bag season (started muddled and became crystal clear) winds down.
Nick and Jess still may not have any definition of their relationship, but we know that Schmidt and Winston have teamed up to be best of buds and the comic relief for all that mounting tension from the other pair. This week, these two combined forces to try and split up Nick and Jess (which seems abrupt considering how they both realized how important these two are to each other at the funeral last week) because Nick is the glue that holds them together.
They schemed and plotted and it, unsurprisingly blew up in their face. Winston and Schmidt, who spent a good portion of the episode fighting about where the communal cell phone charger (the bathroom or the "stupid, stupid kitchen"), failed miserably at coming up with a plot to ruin their date that was already self-imploding. Thankfully, it introduced two of my new favorite characters to New Girl: Outside Dave, a homeless guy who doesn't help them, so much as lock himself in their bathroom and wreak havoc on Schmidt's pomade caddy, and the other homeless guy who serenaded Winston against his will to George Michael's "Father Figure." (By the way, that guy was played by an incredibly talented stand-up comedian named Ronald Funches. Do yourself a favor, next time he's in town, check out his act. You won't be sorry).
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Yes, their sequence was slapstick-y, silly, and rooted entirely in sitcom reality (one of their ideas was to set a bear loose in the restaurant), but I love the Schmidt and Winston dynamic too much to care. I love that Winston had some of the funniest moments, including his inability to be on the same page about Schmidt. (He wrongly guessed Nick was a male escort and that they should kill him with a knife to get him not to go out with Jess). I love that they segued to a flashback by saying they should do "some good ol' fashioned rememberin'." That is some 30 Rock-levels of brilliance.
Much like I'm sure the show will take a breather from Nick and Jess (they either have to dive right into this thing or separate them for a little while or viewers are going to grow impatient), they'll do the same with Schmidt and Winston, which is really too bad. With Schmidt away from Cece and Winston away from any sort of plot point, these two really needed each other and it's working on every level. But as much as I like these two pairings, what makes New Girl work is the ensemble: the fab four need to get back together soon.
Here, now, are the other best lines and moments from "First Date". Bear with me, there's a few.
- "You cant outrun the Jewish!" - Schmidt, to Winston
- Nick explaining that the upper part of the boob is "the most underrated part of the boob."
- Nick explaining that his "off-the-charts" sexual chemistry with Jess feels like "no laws, Wild West, whiskey for a nickel, whores caked in mud."
- A flashback to Hippie Nick, Fat Schmidt, and Dreadlocked Winston.
- "Burn them! Burn them all!" Schmidt's plan for Nick's clothes.
- Jess, seeing Nick all dressed up: "Why are you wearing that suit, did you just apply for a loan?"
- Jess' instruction to calm Nick down: "Make tiny fists with your toes!"
- Fancy Nick being suave: "What an establishment! My favorite in the city!" "I guess all the good ones aren't gay or married!" Bonus: His wearin' a suit spin dance move.
- "If a happening happens and you don't know that it happens, did it happen?" I don't know, girl from The Happening, you tell us.
- Schmidt's plan to "poison every pie on every window sill" to get revenge on the homeless. Winston quickly pointed out he was an actual homeless person, not a cartoon hobo. Bonus: his pronunciation of roof. "I'm going up on the ruff."
- Nick still being in love with Russell. ("Two pens? That's how it's done.")
- The cop's motorcycle falling over, just as he's about to give Nick his fourth ticket of the evening.
- Those longing, last looks between Nick and Jess.
- That second appearance by Ronald Funches, singing "Dude Looks Like a Lady" in his skivvies. ("Like the movie Mrs. Doubtfire!")
- WORST: Yeah, sometimes there's a worst. The Ford product placement again. It wasn't as obvious as when Jess modeled, but it's still pretty apparent. Come on, this isn't like Chuck, New Girl doesn't need saving, does it?
[Photo credit: Adam Taylor/FOX]
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After Bradley Cooper debuted his crazy new perm on April 2, the Justin Timberlake (in his *NSYNC days) comparisons took off on the Internet. But the tightly wound ringlets, which are for Cooper's new David O. Russell movie with Jennifer Lawrence, looked an awful lot like some other famous (and not-so-famous) faces to us.
Little Orphan AnnieDon't worry, Bradley, the sun'll come out tomorrow.
FelicityLet Keri Russell's infamous chop-off be a warning to all of you still.
This dog
Jade from America's Next Top ModelBut can Bradley 'smize'?
ScreechThe original geek 'fro.
A Cabbage Patch KidShe's a spitting image of Bradley — but she's adopted.
Cory MatthewsAnd, yes, Jennifer Lawrence is totally his Topanga.
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Fun fact: Did you know that when you go to Starbucks and ask for the strongest, most caffeinated drink on the menu, they’ll give you an iced coffee with two shots of espresso? Not only am I wide awake, but I’ve discovered three amazing things this morning: 1.) I can spin in my chair eight and a half times before getting insanely dizzy. 2.) Googling Harlem Shake videos and then having a heated debate with your co-worker over the best one is a fantastic way to spend 30 minutes. 3.) I type really really quickly when I have amazing TV scoop to share.
This week’s edition of Leanne’s Spoiler List is filled with a great mix of five fantastic shows. Hollywood.com's spoiler spies gathered details from Giancarlo Esposito about Revolution’s dynamic return to TV and chatted with the unbelievably lovely Keri Russell to learn more about the heated scenes between our favorite Cold wars spies on The Americans. Grab some tissues because I’ve got spoilers on a pivotal Beauty and the Beast death, and how our favorite dysfunctional family will be ripped apart on Shameless. Plus, I answered one of your Twitter questions with some sexy Smash scoop! Read on for all the caffeine-fueled TV craziness below!
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1. Revolution: A Fast-Paced Return
When we last saw Monroe, he had accomplished what seemed like the impossible for our favorite characters on Revolution: not only did he have power, but he used that power to control working helicopters! That doesn't mean good things for Miles, Charlie, Danny, and co. — something star Giancarlo Esposito agreed with when we chatted during a break from filming — but Esposito added that it may not be too good for Monroe either. "Monroe has got stuff going on and he's slowly becoming unhinged because he has too much to think about," Esposito revealed.
But what about Esposito's Captain Neville? "I would hope that Neville is off meditating in the mountains or the Himalayas but he's not," Esposito teased. "He's trying to figure out how to survive just like everything else." Let's hope that doesn't mean plotting retaliation against Miles, who had just kidnapped and threatened Neville's wife in the midseason finale. We know how much Neville loves to get his revenge... and it's usually bloody.
And just in case you were worried Revolution was going to slow down in the back half of its freshman season, time to put those worries to rest. "This show is quickening. The pace is quickening and also the storylines are quickening," Esposito said. "I don't want to spoil it, but it's probably going to be double-matched, doubly more action-packed than it was in the first [half] and I think people are going to be very surprised... It's going to be a full-on ride now for the next few months." We can't wait!
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2. Shameless: Sibling Hide and Seek
Remember way back when in episode two of this season, when Frank drunkenly called Child Protective Services from the phone at the Alibi Room? Did you really think that Shameless would let that gem of a moment fall into the hazy alcohol-induced past? Nope! Since life is never easy for the Gallaghers, the kids' lives will get even harder when social services places them in different homes throughout Chicago.
Jumping straight into mommy mode, Fiona's first order of business is to find where everyone is — then to make sure they're all okay. And of course her next goal is to do everything humanly possible to get our favorite dysfunctional family back together. Unfortunately, even though she's been taking care of the kids for years, Fiona has no authority in the eyes of the court. Perhaps there's a more permanent solution out there...
Meanwhile, Veronica and Kev's quest to have a baby takes a bizarre turn when the couple tries to find a surrogate. Their selection is a person who's closer to them than you'd think — but they'll get even closer when they take unconventional steps to conceive. Gotta love that crazy couple.
And here’s another tidbit, just for fun: Someone that several of the Gallaghers are intimately acquainted with returns to town. Who could it be?! Shout out your speculations in the comments!
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3. The Americans: Short-Lived Marital Bliss
The end of last week's episode may have infuriated some fans of The Americans (I know I was mad!) Here’s a quick refresher: Philip gave Elizabeth the cold shoulder for her former affair with a colleague, possibly forgetting the fact that he is currently embroiled in an affair of his own. Double standard: party of one?
To help sort out all of the Cold War craziness, Hollywood.com spoke to Keri Russell last week, and she said that Elizabeth will catch on sooner than we think. "Oh, I think she's going to care," Russell teased. "I think she's going to start caring, a lot. I have a feeling she'll take care of things."
Uh-oh... does that mean a certain mistress may find her head on a stick (Oh wait, sorry! This isn't Game of Thrones... ) I’m not too sure, but I do know that their recent marital bliss will be short-lived. "Things heat up, instantly," Russell said. "They are heightening the relationship. Philip and Elizabeth have been working together all of this time — she has always been the hard-liner, where he's been the one that can bend.”
The actress explained that even though these two are leading false lives, their feelings for each other are far from fake. “This new aspect of their relationship, where they may truly be in love now, doesn't change that past. Some things are going to be brought up that are documented facts of the way they were different back then, and could be very fractious to the relationship."
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4. Beauty and the Beast: A Killer Episode
Get ready for one killer episode of Beauty and the Beast when the Grim Reaper comes a knocking in Thursday’s all-new episode. You read that right, fans: someone’s going to die! Sheesh, first The Vampire Diaries and now this? Why can’t you just let us be happy, CW Gods?!
Jay Ryan, the hunky hottie behind beastly Vincent Keller, warned us weeks ago that someone was going to bite the dust in “Tough Love”… we just didn’t want to believe him! Sigh.
“Vincent is in a position where he has to save the life of Catherine’s sister, and in doing so it forces the beast to accidentally kill someone that was in the way of saving Heather’s life,” Ryan told Hollywood.com. “And that person is very close to one of our series regulars. So it basically ramps up the witch-hunt on Vincent.”
Eek! I checked in with my all-knowing CW spoiler fairy and we can confirm that this “someone” is definitely close to more than one of our series regulars. But of course I can’t exactly tell you who, now can I? I can tell you that executive producer Brian Peterson says you definitely don’t want to miss Thursday night’s jaw-dropping episode.
“What happens after Vincent has killed somebody is that it will galvanize a certain group of people on the show against the vigilante and motivate their need to destroy him. Everything gets turned on its head. It is the most pivotal episode of the whole series thus far,” Peterson told Hollywood.com. “The tragedy of Vincent’s nature and his instinct to protect switches everything up.”
One thing that BatB fans should definitely know: Make sure you have your kleenex box handy, because this episode is a tearjerker. Don't say I didn't warn you!
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5. Twitter Question: @Whattowatch100: Smash news please! Is there hope for Karen &amp; Derek after the beer bottle snub? #leanneslist
That moment — which I’m now officially declaring as the Beer Brushoff of 2013 — was certainly an interesting interaction in last night’s Smash, wasn’t it? We all saw that Karen definitely has a little bit of a crush on Broadway’s newest bad boy, and in next week’s episode things get even more heated. Okay, I’m all hopped up on caffeine so I’m just gonna say it: there’s going to be a smooch, y’all!
Sure, it may not be the most romantical of moments, and there may or may not be heavy drug use involved, but let’s be honest: If Jimmy’s face was right next to yours, you’d kiss it too!
Just because next week’s episode, “The Song,” has some Kammy (Karen/Jimmy) chemistry, doesn’t mean that all hope is lost for the world’s most debonair director. Derek is a bit preoccupied with Ronnie’s phenomenal Bravo-televised one-night-only spectacular, and dealing with the stage mom from hell. If you thought Rebecca Duvall was a diva, just wait for the ferocity to hit the fan when Ronnie’s mother hits the stage.
And speaking of Season 1 storylines, does anyone happen to remember a smarmy, peanut-wielding, rat of an assistant named Ellis? Let’s just say that my wish did not come true and he was not run over by a bus after last season’s finale.
How are you feeling about the new Jimmy/Karen chemistry on Smash? Who do you think is going to die on Beauty and the Beast? Intrigued by the familiar face returning to Shameless? Tell me everything in the comments below!
Follow Leanne on Twitter @LeanneAguilera
—Additional reporting by Sydney Bucksbaun, Jean Bentley, Shaunna Murphy and Kelsea Stahler.
[Photo Credit: John Domoney/NBC, Will Hart/NBC, Chuck Hodes/Showtime, Ben Mark Holzberg/The CW, Craig Blankenhorn/FX]
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It’s almost Valentine’s Day! The day known for love, compassion, and spending a fortune on pretty weeds and chocolate-covered calories. Yay! Unlike the majority of the female population, I personally love February 14. It’s the one-day of the year that combines three of the world’s best things: wine, glitter, and oh-so sweet shipper moments on our favorite TV shows!
This week’s edition of Leanne’s Spoiler List is sweetly sprinkled with love and plenty of your favorite TV goodies. I spilled almost everything I know from Sunday’s jaw-dropping episode of Once Upon a Time and the drama-packed hour of The Good Wife. I gathered some Valentine’s Day scoop for The Middle and will they/won’t they details from The Carrie Diaries. I also chatted with the unbelievably lovely Sutton Foster about what's twirling into town on Bunheads. Happy Valentine’s Day, TV lovers!
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1. Twitter Question: @charmingfinchel: Once Upon a Time the "Manhattan" episode!
Hmm, well that wasn’t really a question; it was more like an excited demand. Luckily for you, my head is still spinning from watching this Sunday’s all-new episode, “Manhattan,” and I need to gush about what happened. Not only do we learn the identity of Rumpelstiltskin’s son Baelfire, the episode is also jam-packed with answers to our most burning questions.
In the flashbacks to Fairytale Land, fans will get a deeper peak into Rumple’s life B.M. — Before Magic, that is. Mila is back and for a brief, shining moment you’ll see a sweet side to the pirate-loving, child-abandoning cheater. OUaT lovers will also finally learn exactly what happened to Rumple in The Ogre Wars and trust me when I tell you, the situation was much more complicated than you could ever imagine. Some might still call Rumple a coward, but after seeing this episode, I now think of him as a caring, kind-hearted hero. Weird, I know.
Over in Storybrooke, Emma calls with news that leaves Charming and Snow adorably baffled, while the evil threesome—Regina, Cora, and Hook—are searching for the one thing that can finally take down “The Dark One.”
But here’s where it gets good: Rumple and Bae finally have their much-needed heart to heart. (Even though it’s only three minutes long, per Bae’s request.) Although I can’t reveal who his son is — I’m pretty sure ABC would send Snow to shoot an arrow straight though my heart — I can tell you that we may have seen this person in the past. Or maybe not. Oh, and all you August fans out there are definitely going to want to tune in this week!
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2. The Carrie Diaries: Limo Loving
New Goal in Life: Be an extra for a day on the set of The Carrie Diaries. Bonus points if they’re filming another school dance like in the upcoming episode “Caught” (airing Feb. 25, bee-tee-dubs). If you’re not watching this delightful Sex and the City prequel, then you really need to reevaluate your DVR priorities. Not only is this show addictingly sweet and filled to the brim with Google-worthy fashion pieces, young Carrie (AnnaSophia Robb) is simply sensational.
This week we met Carrie’s new beau George, and in a few weeks we’ll see that this super tall hunk is still very much in our leading lady’s life — but so is Sebastian. While Carrie is rocking the world’s most amazing mint green dress at the Winter Dance, fans will see that V-word is something that will finally be addressed. And to all you sweet-minded fans, I’m not talking about valentines. Let’s just say she’ll be having a very Chuck and Blair moment in the back of a limo.
With Carrie off dancing the night away, Dorrit is finally spending some one-on-one time with their dad. And fans will also see a first glimpse of Carrie’s knack for writing when her quippy headline makes it into Interview Magazine.
Plus, get excited for Carrie’s best line of the episode — and the best SATC jab yet: “If I’m still dating and talking about guys in my thirties, someone needs to smother me with a pillow.” Hah! Oh, Miss Bradshaw, if only you knew…
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3. The Middle: I Heart The Hecks
It’s no surprise that I love sparkly things. So you can imagine my extreme delight when Brick Heck, sent me a personalized valentine yesterday. There is red glitter all over my desk and I’ve never been happier — that is until I saw tonight’s episode of The Middle and realized that he gave Frankie and I the exact same valentine. Matching girlfriend and mother presents is quite a big step, but I’m glad that Brick is confident in our love. Swoon!
Love is in the air in the Heck house tonight, and while Mike’s idea of romance is finally taking the Christmas tree out to the curb, his co-workers decide to tackle his “intimacy issues” and suggest new ways to show his love for Frankie. Meanwhile, Axl and his Boss Co. crew come up with the world’s most genius — and yet incredibly douchey — way to make money off his classmates’ V-Day misery.
And Sue is once again trying to channel the world’s supply of optimism and signs up to be on the clean-up crew for the school’s Valentine’s Day dance. She exclaims, “I may not be in love, but I can still clean up from people in love!”
The Middle is not typically a show filled with spoilers, but I reveal that tonight’s episode has a massively amazing twist at the end. I literally gasped, squealed from delight, and the re-watched the moment three more times. If you’ve never seen The Middle, then shame on you! But you’re in luck, because tonight is the perfect episode to jump into the craziness of the Heck house.
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4. The Good Wife: A Sweet Surprise
This Sunday’s episode, “Red Team/BlueTeam” is a whirlwind of classic Good Wife drama. Now that Lockhart Gardner's debt issue has been resolved, the partners are less inclined to let newbies in — so the status of Alicia, Carey, and the rest of the fourth years' partnership offers is up in the air. In the meantime, Diane and Will ask the officemates to argue against them in a mock trial to prep for a lawsuit against their energy drink company clients.
As Alicia and Carey throw themselves into the case, they get angrier and angrier that they might not get their promotions. Could they strike out on their own together? From competitors to potential partners — those two have come a long way over the years and I’m keeping my fingers crossed for this to happen.
Eli enlists Elsbeth's help in the criminal case building against him, and once again the quirky lawyer finds a way to outsmart her competition. Sure, she's a weirdo, but I'd hire her in a heartbeat!
And since Valentine's Day is tomorrow, here's a sweet treat: Keep an eye out for an unexpected romantic moment during Sunday's episode. I'm not telling who kisses, but let's just say I screamed at my screen — and you will too!
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5. Bunheads: Red-Hot Fun
Lemme just start this off by saying that my go-to show is Gilmore Girls — always has been, always will be. So the fact that Amy Sherman-Palladino is has sprinkling some of my favorite Stars Hallow residents into Bunheads has been particularly thrilling for me. Thanks for letting me share my thoughts with you.
There are only two more episodes left in the winter season of Bunheads, and they will definitely make your head spin. I had the pleasure of speaking with the legenday Sutton Foster yesterday and she filled me in on everything that’s coming up in next Monday’s episode.
“There’s a fire and the dance studio becomes one of the evacuation zones, so Michelle becomes one of the co-captains to oversee the disaster.” Foster continues, “All the characters are forced to be in the same place at the same time all the girls, all their love-interests and the girls decide to take their relationships to new levels.” Cue the cat fight and tutus!
So while the girls are figuring out their love lives, our leading lady is left trying to keep everything in order. Sutton says, “Michelle becomes more of a parental figure and watching every body and then reluctantly being put into a position of responsibility and that is ot necessarily her strong points.”
I then suggested that Michelle should bring back her polyester-powered panysuit to give her the courage to handle the responsibilities. Sutton laughed, “Oh no! Thank god I’ll never have to put that pant suit back on. But there is a lot of silly crazy and fun stuff in the next two episodes.” Can’t wait to watch it all twirl out of control!
Who do you think is Rumplestilskin’s son in Once Upon a Time? Is Carrie ready to give up her V-card in The Carrie Diaries? Excited to see all the drama unfold on Bunheads? Will you be my Valentine, TV lovers? Tell me everything in the comments below!
—Additional Reporting by Jean Bentley
Follow Leanne on Twitter @LeanneAguilera
[Photo Credit: CREDIT: Jack Rowand/ABC; David M. Russell/CBS; Adam Taylor/ABC Family; Michael Ansell/ABC; Patrick Harbron/The CW]

Nothing says more about you — not your religious affiliation, your childrearing sensibilities, your dental hygiene — than your personalized list of favorite movies. Your cinematic preferences brand you permanently in the eyes of whomever is lucky (or cagey) enough to hear them, leading many of us to opt for our highbrow choices — our Vertigos, our Citizen Kanes, our Bicycle Theives...es.
But behind these vainglorious boasts will inevitably lurk a dark, probing secret: our real favorite movies. Our Black Sheeps and Better Off Deads and Weekend at Bernies 2s. Even if you do harbor a regrettable passenger like these, you shouldn't feel ashamed. You're in good company: Stanley Kubrick loved White Men Can't Jump.
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From a series of interviews conducted with the late genius, The Criterion Collection has released a list of titles that have been deemed some Kubrick's favorite pieces of film. Along with Citizen Kane, The Godfather, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, and a string of other unsurprises, the article attributes White Men Can't Jump — the 1992 comedy about a pair of rival streeball hustlers (Woody Harrelson and Wesley Snipes) forming an unlikely friendship — to the legend's trove of top picks.
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And the mastermind who brought us triumphs like 2001: A Space Odyssey and Dr. Strangelove is not alone in fessing up to his so-called guilty pleasure. Here are a handful of other auteurs who rank some unexpected flicks among their video collections:
There Will Be Blood and The Master director Paul Thomas Anderson: Heavyweights, as the fat camp comedy's director Judd Apatow told Hollywood.com.
The Tree of Life and The Thin Red Line director Terrence Malick: Zoolander, as Seth Rogen revealed to the The Guardian.
Chinatown and The Pianist director Roman Polanski: Rush Hour as the crime comedy's director Brett Ratner told The Guardian.
And from the archives of BFI's Sight &amp; Sound...
Heat and The Last of the Mohicans director Michael Mann: Avatar
Driving Miss Daisy director Bruce Beresford: Black Hawk Down
The Fighter and Silver Linings Playbook director David O. Russell: Young Frankenstein
Documentarian Nick Broomfield: The Pink Panther Strikes Again
1930s cinematographer Robert Neame: E.T.
Inglorious Basterds director Quentin Tarantino: The Bad News Bears
Whistle Down the Wind director Bryan Forbes: Whistle Down the Wind
What's your guilty pleasure?
Follow Michael Arbeiter on Twitter @MichaelArbeiter
[Photo Credit: 20th Century Fox]
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